The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is gathering input on the bay scallop season structure for 2020 and beyond via an online survey. The agency has also set the 2019 regional season dates for bay scallop harvest for most of the areas that will be open to harvest.

Bay Scallop Survey Information

The FWC is working toward a long-term season structure that it proposes to be effective in 2020.

To have your feedback included in this planning, participate in the survey by visiting SurveyMonkey.com/r/BayScallops2018. A draft rule on this season structure is anticipated to be discussed at the February Commission meeting.

Scallop Season Information

The 2019 regional seasons for bay scallop harvest from Franklin through Hernando counties will be the same as they were in 2018.

Pasco County dates were slightly modified to ensure the season in that region opens on a Friday.

The following regionally-specific bay scallop open seasons have been created by executive order for 2019 only:

• Levy, Citrus and Hernando counties (including Cedar Key, Crystal River and Homosassa): July 1 through Sept. 24. This region includes all state waters south of Alligator Pass Daybeacon #4 near the mouth of the Suwannee River in Levy County and north of the Hernando – Pasco county line.
• Pasco County: July 19-28. This region includes all state waters south of the Hernando – Pasco county line and north of the Anclote Key Lighthouse in northern Pinellas County, and includes all waters of the Anclote River.
• Learn more about bay scallop regulations at MyFWC.com/Fishing, click on “Saltwater Fishing,” “Recreational Regulations” and “Bay Scallops.”

Schedule a Scalloping Trip in Florida’s Nature Coast

NatureCoaster.com has a list of scalloping tour operators in our directory, which you can get to by clicking here. Call now to schedule your trip before all the good weekend spots are reserved! Please tell them that you found them in NatureCoaster.com.